Juicing machine



F. L. M CULLOCH Nov. 7, 195 0 JUICING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1948 F. L. M CULLOCH Nov. 7, 1950 JUICING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1948 NOV. 7, 1950 MOCULLQCH 2,528,533

JUICING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 7, 1950 IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE J UICING MACHINE Frederick L. McCulloch, Tampa, Fla.

Application December 22, 1948, Serial No. 66,769

14 Claims.

This invention is a novel juicing machine and the principal object thereof is to provide a machine particularly adapted for the commercial juicing of fruits, such as citrus fruits, for canning purposes, in a continuous or substantiallly continuous process. Further objects of the invention are to provide a'machineof the above type having certain novel features of construction hereinafter set forth.

- II-will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiar withthe art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

' In said drawings:

Figure 1'is an elevation of one side of my novel machine; I Fig; 2 is an opposite side elevation of one end thereof, showing the rind ejecting means and the cup deflecting cam means;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through said machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on the broken line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the cups, also showing the cup supporting chain links;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line ll, Fig. 5.

As shown, my novel juicing machine comprises a base I having spaced pairs of uprights 2 and 3 thereon connected at their upper ends at each side by spaced horizontal members l, to form a rigid structure. Intermediate th ends of the members 3 are a spaced pair of uprights 5.

At the upper ends of uprights 5 is a shaft 6 upon which is journalled a disc I carrying a plurality of spokes 8 extending radially and spaced evenly apart, twelve such spokes 8 being shown in Fig. 1. At the outer end of each of the spokes 8 are mounted pressers 9 which are in the form of cups having tubular hubs 9a, Fig. 4, which are slidably mounted on the outer ends of the spokes 8, the hubs having slots 9b, Fig. 4, therein receiving pins I5 transfixing the spokes 8 and passing through the slots Sb so as to permit the pressers 9 to have a limited axia1 movement on said spokes. Interposed around the hubs 9a between the pins I0 and the bases of the pressers 9 are springs ll normally urging the pressers 9 outwardly of the spokes 8 to their maximum extent limited by the pins IE] in the slots 91). The wheel l is not positively driven, but is freely rotatable upon the shaft 3.

Upon the frame members 4 mounted in bearin'gs l2, Figs. 1 and 3, is a shaft ['4 carrying a pair of spaced parallel drive wheels I3 having a series of Opposed notches Ilia their peripheries. As shown in Fig. 1, the spaced wheels I3 are provided with eleven notches I3a in their peripheries. Wheels I3 are keyed upon shaft I4 and one end of shaft I4 carries a drive pulley I5 (Fig. 1) or the like, around which runs a belt I6 for rotating the pair of wheels I3 in unison.

At the opposite end of frame members 4 are bearings I! for a shaft I8 upon which are mounted spaced wheels I9 having notches I9a in their peripheries which are similar to the notches I3a of wheels I3, said wheels I9 being of a somewhat smaller diameter than wheels I3, and as shown same have seven notches I So in their peripheries.

The pairs of wheels I3 are driven in the direction of the arrows A and B, Fig. 3, by a belt I6 (Fig. 1) or the like, the wheels I9 being rotated therewith by an endless series of cups 20 shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6 and '7. Each cup 20" is preferably square in plan and is provided with a closed bottom 29a having a, longitudinal slot 20b, Fig. 5, and a transverse or cross slot Eilc therein for the purpose hereinafter described. Within each cup-shaped member 20 is a circular lining 25 of external diameter substantially equal to the internal dimensions of the cup 2i] as shown in Fig, ,5, lining 2! being adapted to directly receive and center within the related cup 2!] the fruit or the like which is delivered thereinto by a chute 22, Figs. 1 and 3, as the cup approaches the upper run .of the endless series of cups, the fruit in chute 22 moving in the direction of the arrow C, and one fruit, such as an orange, being delivered by chute 22 into each cup 26 as it passes the lower end of the chute. The fruit thus delivered is centered within the lining ,2! of cup 29 by means of inverted U-shaped fiat or round springs 23,

Figs. 5, 6 and 7, at the corners of the cup, eachspring 23 having one leg anchored in the bottom 200, of the cup adjacent a corner thereof, the spring extending upwardly and inwardly over the lining 2 I' with its outer portion yieldably extending radially downwardly within the lining 2I. The springs 23 also will hold any small size fruit up above thebot m of th p 9 o that th presser 9 will strike the tops thereof before the.

fruit is engaged by the cross-knives SH), 350, hereinafter described. If the springs 23 were not used, the knives would also otherwise push the fruit out of centered position in the cup 28.

As shown, each cup 223 is provided adjacent its rear end with oppositely extending non-rotatable lugs 25, and pairs of links '25 connect the lugs 24 of adjacent cups 2!), said links 25 having bearings 25a at each end directly receiving the lugs 24 to form a pair of spaced endless chains connecting the series of cups 20 together for permitting the endless series of cups 2!] to pass around the wheels l3 and IS. The lugs 24 are of such length that in passing around the wheels I3 and Hi the lugs automatically engage the notches |3a and Him, the wheels I3 and I9 rotating at the same peripheral speed. The lugs 24 at one, side of the cups are provided with rollers 26, as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7, rotatably mounted thereon beyond the links '25 and secured by washers 26a and nuts 23bfor the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The spacing of the cups 211 and the pressers 9 is such that as the endless series of cups 2|] pass around the wheels I3 and I9, Fig. 3, the successive pressers 9 will be entered into the successive linings 2| of the cups and will yieldably engage the fruit in the bottoms a of the cups, the wheel being driven solely by engagement of the pressers 9 in the moving series of cups 2D. 7

Means are provided for splitting or cutting the bottoms of the fruit carried by the upper run of the series of cups 2|] simultaneously with the entry of the plungers 9 into the cups, i. e. as the cups approach the presser wheel 1. As shown, the uprights 5, Figs. 1 and 3, are provided with lateral extensions 21, Figs. 1, 3 and 4, in which are journalled a shaft 28 having collars '29 at each, which collars 29 are pinned or otherwise secured to shaft 28, the collars contacting the outer faces of the extensions 27. Adjacent one lateral extension Z'i, and at the same side as the rollers 26, is a star wheel 35 having arms 30a, five arms being shown in Fig. l, the outer ends of which are rounded as at 3517, Fig. 1, and are adapted to directly engage the rollers 26 carried by the cups 2|], said rollers reducing friction. Successive arms a successively engage successive rollers 26 so as to cause shaft 28 to rotate in unison with the movement of the endles series of cups 20 in the upper run. Star wheel 33 is keyed to the shaft 28 which also carries in vertical alignment with the endless series of cups 23 a star shaped cutting wheel 3|, Fig. 3, having arms 3|a corresponding with the arms of the star wheel 30, the outer ends of the arms a being provided with semicircular cross-knives 3|b and 3lc respectively disposed at right angles to each other and adapted, as the series of cups is moved in the direction of the arrows A and B, Fig. 3, to successively enter upwardly through the cross slots 23b, 230 in the bottoms of the cups 2!]; and cut a cross-shaped incision in the bottom of the fruit in the related cups 2|] as the related pressers 9 come into contact with the tops of the fruits, so that as the cups move in the direction of the arrows A, B, Fig. 3, the juice will be extracted from the fruit when the cup 23 is moved to the position wherein the related spoke 8 is disposed in vertical downward position, the related presser 9 subsequently receding from the cup and the extracted juice being discharged through the slots 4 in substantially the plane of the chain links 25, thus providing a firm support for the cups during the juicing operation. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 each lug 25cc is also extended sufiici ently forwardly of the leading end of the cup '20 to underlie the trailing end of the preceding cup, to prevent the cup 20 from swinging or hinging downwardly while traversing the lower run of the chain links 25 while passing the spray jets and while moving around towards the feed'chute 22.

In order that the chain links may be readily assembled around the Wheels l3 and I9, one of the pairs of links 25 as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6 are formed into overlapping sections 25m and 2512, the overlapped portions of the sections being thin and being secured together by means of removable screws 32 (Fig. 5) so that the pair of chains may be readily separated or connected by removal of or replacement of the screws 32.

The juice which is extracted from the cups 20 by the pressers 9 drops through the slots 20b, 200 of cups 20 into a tank 33 which has parallel sides so spaced as to substantially embrace the width of the cups 20 and to house the cutting wheel 3|, as shown in Fig. 4, the ends of the tank 33 contracting at their lower end and communicating with a lateral outlet duct 34, Figs. 1 and 4, leading out of the machine in order that the extracted juices may be readily collected in a suitable container. A clean-out hole 35 is provided in the lower end of the tank 33 substantially opposite the outlet pipe 34, said hole being normally covered by a closure plate 36 whereby any pulp or other solid matter which may collect in the bottom of the tank 33 and which would tend to clog the outlet 34, may be readily removed.

On the frame uprights 3 are lateral extensions 31 in which is journalled a shaft 38 on which is mounted an ejector star wheel 39 having blades 39a adapted when the cups 2|] are successively brought opposite the said cups 2!] to enter therein and to extract the rind of the fruit, the wheel 39 being rotated merely by the movement of the mounted on a shaft 42 journalled in the uprights 3 as shown, the rinds being thereby conveyed to a point of disposal.

In order to insure that the cups while nearing the ejector wheel 39 will be properly seated on the lugs 25a: of the chain links 25, a cam 50, Fig.

200, 2% in the bottom of the cup. The number of arms 3|a on the cutting wheel 3| is such that the cross-knives 3|b, 3|c, will enter each of the cups '23 as the same pass across the upper run of an endless series of cups 20.

Each cup 20 is hinged on the chain links 25 at one end by the lugs 24, while the opposite end of the cup is prevented from being deflected downwardly out of the plane of the chains 25 under action of the pressers 9 by means of inwardly projecting lugs 25m, Figs. 1, 5, 6 and '7, on the chain links 25 adapted to underlie the leading end of the cup 20 to maintain the cups when traversing the upper run of the endless series 2, is provided at the discharge end of the machine, said cam 5|] having an arcuate surface 50a which is substantially parallel with the periphery of the wheels |3 but is disposed inwardly thereof, said cam surface 500. being contacted by pins 5| which are respectively mounted on the lugs 24 of the cups 20 at the side opposite from the rolls 26. By the use of the cam 5|! and the pins 5|, in event any of the cups, before reaching the ejector wheel,

may have been pivoted away from contact with plate N (Fig. 3) mounted on brackets 12 and 13 secured to the adjacent end of tank 33 between the wheels l9, said plate H having an outer curved cam surface Ila disposed closely adjacent the under sides of the cups 20, so that in event any of the cups 20 should be hinged or swung, just prior to passin under the feed chute 22 while rounding the wheels [9, out of proper parallel relation with respect to their related chain links 25 the trailing ends of the hinged cups 20 will contact the cam surface 1 la and thereby be properly positioned as shown in Fig. 3 parallel with the chain links 25 to receive the fruit discharged from the chute 22 prior t passing under the presser wheel 1.

Beneath the lower run of the cups 20 is a pan 55 for receiving the liquid and the rinsed matter from the cups 20, the rinsing being effected at the lower run of the series of cups by means of a spray head 56 disposed below the lower run of the endless series, and an offset spray head 51 disposed above the lower run of the endless series as shown in Fig. 1, said spray being supplied with clean water or the like, under pressure, so as to thoroughly wash the cups 20 as they proceed to and under the feed chute 22, Fig. 1. The pan 55 may be drained in any suitable manner. Above the spray head 56 is a baffle (Fig. 1) to prevent the water from the head which is directed upwardly through the cups 20 from passing into the interior of the machine, thus maintaining the said interior relatively dry during operation of the machine.

Between the spray head 51 and the chute 22 is a hot air or vapor jet 58, Fig. l, mounted upon a bracket 59 which may be conveniently secured to the uprights 2, said jet 58 being supplied with hot air or vapor from any suitable source, the jet being directed into the interior of the cups 20 just prior to their passage under the feed trough 22 for the purpose of blowing out any surplus water therein which may have been deposited by the spray heads 55 and 51, and the heated vapors further servin to some degree to partially dry the interior of the cups before receiving fruit from the chute 22.

I do not limit my invention to th exact form shown in the drawings, for obvious changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for extracting juices from fruit or the like, comprising spaced pairs of wheels having opposed spaced notches in their peripheries, one pair of wheels being driven; an endless series of cups having a substantially horizontal upper run running around said spaced pairs of wheels, said cups having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends adapted to successively engage the successive notches of said wheels; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; a presser wheel above the upper run of said series of cups; a radially disposed series of yieldably mounted pressers carried by said wheel and adapted to successively engage successive cups of the series as the upper run moves thereunder, each cup being of square shape and having a cross-shaped slot; a circular lining within each cup having an opening coaxial with said slot; and inverted U-shaped springs, each having one leg anchored adjacent a corner of the cup, said springs extending radially over the lining and having their free ends extending downwardly towards the center of the lining.

2. A machine for extracting juices from fruit or the like, comprising a .base; spaced pairs of wheels journalled on said base having opposed spaced notches in their peripheries, one pair of wheels being driven; an endless series of cups having a substantially horizontal upper run running around said pairs of Wheels, said cups having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends adapted to successively engage the successive notches of said wheels; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; a presser wheel journalled on the base above the upper run of said series; a radially disposed series of yieldably mounted pressers carried by said wheel and adapted to successively engage successive cups of the series as the upper run moves thereunder; said cups having slots in their bottoms; means for feeding fruit into the successive cups as they approach said upper run; means adapted to enter the slots in the successive cups to slit the fruit therein as the pressers engage the tops of the fruit; and means for collecting the juice which drops through the slots of the cups in the upper run.

3. In a machine as set forth in claim 2, said fruit slitting means comprising a knife wheel journalled on the base having arms adapted to successively enter the slots in the cups of the upper run; knives on said arms adapted to enter the slots; and a star wheel rotatable with said knife wheel having arms adapted to successively engage the lugs of the successive cups to rotate the knife wheel synchronously with the movement to the cups.

i. In a machine as set forth in claim 2, said juice collecting means comprising a tank having its upper end underlying the series of cups in the upper run below the presser Wheel and housing the slitting means, the lower end of the tank contracting into an outlet discharging laterally of the machine; said tank having an access opening opposite the outlet; and a removable cover plate closing said opening.

5. In a machine as set forth in claim 2,'in wardly extendin projections on the pairs of links underlying the leading ends of each cup and the trailing end of the preceding cup and adapted to maintain the cups of the upper run disposed in the plane of the links while passin under the presser wheel.

6. In a machine as set forth in claim 5, means for ejecting the rinds from the cups as the cups approach the lower run; and cam means on the base cooperating with pins on the lugs for seating the cups on the projections just prior to the cups reaching the ejecting means.

7. In a machine as set forth in claim 5, cam means on the base adapted to contact the under sides of the cups for seating the cups on the projections just prior to the cups reaching the feeding means.

8. In a machine as set forth in claim 2, each cup being of square shape, said slots in each cup being cross-shaped; a circular lining within each cup having openings coaxial with said slots; and inverted U-shaped springs, each having one leg anchored adjacent a corner of the cup, said springs extending radially over the lining and having their free ends extending downwardly towards the center of the lining.

9. In a machine as set forth in claim 2, said presser wheel having a series of radially disposed spokes thereon; said pressers havin hubs slidably mounted on said spokes; pins transfixing said spokes and passing throughelongated slots in said hubs; and springs interposed between the pins and the bottoms of said pressers.

10. A machine for extracting juices from fruit or the like, comprising a base; spaced pairs of wheels journalled on said base having opposed spaced notches in their peripheries, one pair of wheels being driven, an endless series of cups having e, substantially horizontal upper run running around said pairs of wheels, said cups having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends adapted to successively engage the successive notches of said wheels; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; a presser wheel journalled on the base above the upper run of said series; a radially disposed series of yieldably mounted pressers carried by said wheel and adapted to successively engage successive cups of the series as the upper run moves thereunder; said cups having slots in their bottoms; means for feeding fruit into the successive cups as they approach said upper run; means adapted to enter the slots in the successive cups to slit the fruit therein as the pressers engage the tops of the fruit; means for collecting the juice which drops through the slots of the cups in the upper run; means for ejecting the rinds from the cups as the cups approach the lower run, said fruit slitting means comprising a knife Wheel journalled on the base having arms adapted to successively enter the slots in the cups of the upper run; arcuate knives on said arms adapted to enter the slots in th successive cups; and a star wheel rotatable with said knife wheel havin arms adapted to successively engage the lugs of the successive cups to rotate the knife wheel synchronously with the movement to the cups.

11. A machine for extracting juices from fruit or th like, comprising a base; spaced pairs of Wheels journaled on said base having opposed spaced notches in their peripheries, one pair of wheels being driven, an endless series of cups having a substantially horizontal upper run running around said pairs of wheels, said cups having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends adapted to successively engage the successive notches of said wheels; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; a presser wheel journalled on the base above the upper run of said series; a radially disposed series of yieldably mounted pressers carried by said wheel and adapted to successively engage successive cups of the series as the upper run moves thereunder; said cups having slots in their bottoms; means for feeding fruit into th successive cups as they approach said upper run; means adapted to enter the slots in the successive cups to slit the fruit therein as the pressers engage the tops of the fruit; means for collecting the juice which drops through the slots of the cups in the upper run; means for ejecting the rinds from the cups as the cups approach the lower run, said juice collecting means comprising a tank having its upper end underlying the series of cups in the upper run below the presser wheel and housing the slitting means, the lower end of the tank contracting into an outlet discharging laterally of the machine; said tank having an access opening opposite the outlet; and a removable cover plate closing said opening.

12. A machine for extracting juices from fruit or the like, comprising a base; spaced pairs of wheels journaled on said base having opposed spaced notches in their peripheries, one pair of wheels being driven, an endless series of cups having a substantially horizontal upper run running around said pairs of wheels, said cups having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends 8 adapted to successively engage the successive notches of said wheels; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; a presser Wheel journalled 0n the base above the upper run of said series; a radially disposed series of yieldably mounted pressers carried by said 'wheel and adapted to successively engage successive cups of the series as the upper run movesthereunder; said cups having slots in their bottoms; means for feeding fruit into the successive cups as they approach said upper run; means adapted to enter the slots in the successive cups to slit the fruit therein as the pressers engage the tops of the fruit; means for collecting the juice which drops through the slots of the cups in the upper run; means for ejecting the rinds from the cups as the cups approach the lower run, said ejecting means comprising a, star wheel journalled on the base having arms adaptedto successively enter the slots of successive cups and to lift the rinds out of the cups; and an endles conveyor belt receiving the discharged rinds.

13QA machine for extracting juices from fruit or th like, comprising a base; spaced pairs of wheels journaled on said base having opposed spaced notches in their peripheries, one pair of wheels being driven, an endless series of cups having a substantially horizontal upper run running around said pairs of wheels, said cups having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends adapted to successively engage the successive notches of said wheels; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; a presser wheel journalled on the base above the upper runof said series; a radially disposed series of yieldably mounted pressers carried by .said 'wheel and adapted to successively engage successive cups of the series as the upper run moves thereunder; said cups having slots intheir bottoms; means for feeding fruit into the successive cups as they approach said upper run; means adapted to enter the slots in the successive cups to slit the fruit therein as the pressers engage the tops of the fruit; means for collecting the juice which drops through the slots of the cups in the upperrun; means for ejecting the rinds from the cups as the cups approach the lower run, fluid jets mounted on the base and directed onto the upper and lower sides of the lower run of the series of cups; a bafile on the frame above the upwardly directed jet; a vapor jet discharging into the cups between the fluid jets and feeding means; and a removable pan disposed below said fluid jet.

14. In a juicing machine, spaced pairs of wheels having opposed'notches in their peripheries-an endless series of cups running around said wheels and having oppositely extending lugs adjacent their rear ends adapted to successively engage the successive notches; pairs of chain links connecting adjacent pairs of lugs; inwardly extending projections on the pairs of links underlying the leading end of each cup and the trailing end of the preceding cup and adapted to maintain the cups in the plane of thelinks, each cup being of square shape and having a cross-shaped slot in its bottom; a circular lining within said cup tangent to the sides thereof; and inverted U- shaped springs, each having one leg anchored adjacent a corner of the cup, said springs extending radially over the lining and having their free ends extending downwardly towards the center of the lining FREDERICK L. McCULLOCH Nolreferences cited. 

